Final answer:
The author begins with an ironic critique of human imitation to pique interest and lay the groundwork for the discussion on human and animal behaviors. The example also indirectly references the importance of social comfort as found in the Harlows' monkey study and highlights the significance of constructing a strong topic sentence for clarity in writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary goal of an author starting a paragraph with "In the matter of slavish imitation, man is the monkey's superior all the time" is to engage the reader in a thought-provoking way. Here, the author's technique is to introduce his criticism of humans' tendency to imitate without thinking, in a humorous and somewhat ironic manner. This approach not only sparks interest in the subject matter but may also challenge the reader to consider the ways in which human behavior mirrors that of animals, contrary to the popular belief of human superiority. It is a rhetorical strategy that combines amusement with critical observation, effectively catching the reader’s attention and setting the tone for the arguments to come.
Regarding the Harlows' study on rhesus monkeys, the correct statement is that it illustrated how social comfort is more vital than food for the healthy psychological development of young monkeys. This marked a significant step in understanding the social needs of primates, which, by extension, allows us to infer similar needs in humans.
When constructing a paragraph, beginning with a clear topic sentence is critical for guiding the reader through the argument being made. For instance, a discussion on the innovation of the movie Avatar could commence with the statement that Avatar has produced the most realistic animated characters, which then would be supported with subsequent evidence. It's important to establish a clear connection with the reader and maintain focus on the topic.